Audio systems in the music industries
Objectives
a) To conceive audio projects, taking into account all of the respective the stages;
b) to analyse technically and creatively a number of musical productions carried out by other professionals;
c) to be able to understand the specific role of recording, synthesis, editing and sound diffusion technologies in the context of musicalcreation;
d) to learn the technical terms of the area and apply them correctly;
e) to learn the most relevant historical moments of sound recording and editing techniques;
f) to reinforce the understanding of the creative dimension of musical composition.
General characterization
Code
02113130
Credits
10.0
Responsible teacher
Rui Pedro Rodrigues Pereira Jorge
Hours
Weekly - 2
Total - 280
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
N/A
Bibliography
*CORBETT, I. (2020). Mic It! Microphones, Microphone Techniques, and Their Impact on the Final Mix. Focal Press
*FONSECA, N. (2006). Introdução à Engenharia do Som. Lidel.
*GOTTLIEB, G. (2007). Shaping Sound in the Studio and Beyond: Audio Aesthetics and Technology. Delmar.
*HUGILL, A. (2019). The Digital Musician. Routledge.
*MAZZOLA, G.; PARK, J. & THALMANN, F. (2011). Musical Creativity, Strategies and Tools in Composition and Improvisation. Springer.
*SWINDALY, T. (2019). Music Production: Discover the Past, Present & Future of Music Production, Recording Technology, Techniques, & Songwriting. Fortune Publishing.
*MOORE, Adrian (2016). Sonic Art, An Introduction to Electroacoustic Music Composition. Routledge.
*ROADS, C. (2015). Composing Electronic Music: A New Aesthetic. Oxford University Press.
*RUMSEY, F. (2021). Sound and Recording: Applications and Theory. Focal Press.
Teaching method
Lectures on content and its practical application, accompanied by demonstrations and analyses of specific cases. Students carry out practical exercises. Commented listening and debate on specific topics in the programme. Tutoring on the composition project.
Evaluation method
Written test - 40%
Individual written test on the technical themes developed during the lessons.
Composition project - 60%
Image soundtracking exercise by the students. The students will have to compose the soundtrack for a film of around 3 minutes made by each student. More precise instructions on this project will be given during the lectures, which will also be accompanied by tutorials in some classes. A report will also have to be drawn up on the whole project and submitted to the relevant section of InforEstudante.
Subject matter
I - Sound recording
1-Microphones and their characteristics according to power supply: dynamic and condenser;
2-Characteristics of microphones according to polar pattern: omnidirectional, cardioid, bidirectional and super-cardioid;
3-Selection of microphones according to specific objectives: diaphragm size; positioning and spectrum.
II - Sound editing
1-Signal flow: analogue and digital;
2-Fundamental elements of the sound studio: configuration and connections of studio elements;
3-Mixing desk: routing; inserts; dynamics; auxiliary tracks; send/return;
4-Editing technique and practice: DAW - the basic tool of the digital studio;
5-Mixing: volumes; automatism; panning; EQ; graphic equalisers and parametric equalisers;
6-Dynamic manipulation: compression; gate and limiters;
7-Effects processing: reverb; delay; phaser; chorus; distortion;
8-Destructive and non-destructive editing;
9-MIDI protocol: origin and purpose; MIDI editing and sequencing;
10-Sampling and musical creation: pitch-shifting and time-stretching;
III - Electroacoustic composition
1-Fundamental concepts of composition using the DAW; conceptual decisions; project planning;
2-Finalisation of projects: mastering and specific formats;
3-Composition for image: framework and methodologies.